Power generation in New England drops from last year

• 11 years ago (2013-02-09)
• David Flin

North America 998 Nuclear 640 Renewables 752

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Total power generation in the Independent System Operator (ISO) of New England, USA, fell by 2.8 per cent compared with the same month in 2012, according to data released by the grid operator. January 2013 saw 9.924 TWh generated, compared with 10.210 TWh in January 2012, and 9.397 TWh in December 2012. Peak load for January was 20,775 MW, up 4.3 per cent from 19,926 MW a year earlier. Peak load in December was 19,119 MW.

Nuclear generation accounted for the biggest share of the January fuel mix, at 33.2 per cent, up from 31.3 per cent from a year ago, but down from 36.7 per cent in December.

Natural gas’ share of the mix fell to 29.9 per cent, from 38.2 per cent a year ago and 31.1 per cent in December. The ISO said that soaring natural gas prices led to the fuel’s loss of share.

Coal was the big beneficiary of natural gas’ loss of supply mix share, as it jumped to 10.8 per cent of the supply mix from 7.7 per cent a year ago. In December, it made up 7 per cent of the mix.

Hydropower was 7.3 per cent, down slightly from 7.7 per cent a year ago and 7.9 per cent in December.

Renewables combined share of the supply mix rose to 7.5 per cent from 6.7 per cent, but was down from 8.2 per cent in December. Wind power accounted for 23.6 per cent of the share from renewable sources in January, but made up less than 2 per cent of the overall generation mix.

Power plants that can fuel switch between oil and natural gas represented 10.4 per cent of the January mix.

Net imports of electricity to New England rose 27.9 per cent in January. Exports, on the other hand, fell 31.1 per cent.